Intelligence – August, 07 2002

By Jan 1, 2003, Hyatt Gold Passport members will be able to earn Gold Passport points at all Hawthorn Suites properties. The agreement is the first hotel partnership for the 15-year-old program. The partnership will nearly double the number of properties at which Gold Passport points can be earned. Gold Passport members will be able to earn three points per eligible dollar spent during Hawthorn Suites stays. Points can be redeemed at any Hyatt hotel or resort or Hawthorn Suites worldwide. More partnerships are in the pipeline, but we were unable to ascertain an E.T.A., however, we will keep you posted as this marks a major shift in policy …

Deutsche Bank AG and Lufthansa have committed to a long-term marketing partnership. Beginning about the middle of next year, miles will be earned by customers of Deutsche Bank 24, Deutsche Bank Private Banking and Deutsche Bank’s asset management unit. Later this year Deutsche Bank will expand further to other European countries, particularly Italy and Spain. At this point Lufthansa Miles & More will be the only option …

Beginning June 1, Lufthansa and LOT Polish will code-share on all services between Poland and Germany. The code-share will pave the way for Star Alliance membership. In the coming months frequent flyers should begin to notice a closer relationship between the two programs. Lounge doors will swing open for members of either program and the frequent flyer programs will eventually become reciprocal …

Still in Europe, Air Dolomiti SpA is putting the finishing touches on a code-sharing agreement with United Airlines on some of their common European routes. Several European destinations will be affected and Air Dolomiti will join forces with United in fights to the United States …

Delta SkyMiles is the most recent program to partner with Lending Tree. For every $10,000 mortgage, home equity or auto loan transaction, members can earn 1,250 miles. For every $10,000 of a home’s sale and/or purchase amount, members will earn 3,000 miles (in most states). Delta SkyMiles members can also earn miles with E-Loan, an online lending company, when taking out a mortgage, a home equity loan or an auto loan. Still with Delta, the airline got the thumbs up to fly to Taiwan. June 1 is the start-up date for the code-share to begin …

In a build-up to its probable membership in oneworld, Swiss is parting company with US Airways Dividend Miles. Members can continue to earn miles on Swiss and miles may also be redeemed for award travel on Swiss through June 30. All award travel on Swiss must be completed by June 30, 2003. Golf enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that Dividend Miles Golf no longer participates in the Dividend Miles program …

Finally, Star Alliance CEO Jann Albrecht has indicated that the alliance is intent on filling in the “white spots” on the globe where the alliance has little or no coverage. No doubt the alliance is feeling the loss of Ansett, however, Australia is among the “white spots” to be filled. Others are China, India, Africa and parts of Asia.

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